New York Mets’ Pete Alonso Awaits His Big Payday.

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility.

Alonso, nicknamed “The Polar Bear,” has completed five years of major league service time, all with the Mets.

Unless the Mets offer him a contract beyond next season, Alonso will become a free-agent following the 2024 World Series.

That means Alonso will break the bank this offseason, or after next year’s World Series.

Power hitters are tough to find. And they get paid.

It is estimated by Fangraphs, that Alonso will earn a $22 million contract this coming year.

Fangraphs estimates the Mets 2024 payroll will be $267 million, or $79 million less that the team’s estimated final 2023 payroll.

Given the pending payroll decrease, it seems reasonable the Mets will offer Alonso a lengthy contract extension.

Unless.

Unless new President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, finds other players to pursue. Players like slugger Shohei Ohtani. Or Juan Soto, should the San Diego Padres make Soto available in trade.

Ohtani, and Soto will be looking for their own pay days.

Or Maybe the Mets would extend Alonso, and pursue a highly priced free-agent as well. It could certainly happen. And it wouldn’t be surprising.

MLB.com reports Stearns has met with Scott Boras, Alonso’s agent.

Apparently, Boras and Alonso are open to the concept of a contract extension with the Mets.

As indicated on MLB.com, “We just kind of let him know that when it comes to the Polar Bear, we’re not in contract hibernation,” Boras said.

About Pete Alonso:

Right-handed hitting Pete Alonso, 28, was a 2nd round 2016 draft selection of the Mets.

Chosen out of the University of Florida, Alonso received a $909,200 signing bonus.

Alonso began his professional career in 2016, when he played for the Brooklyn Cyclones of the Class-A Short Season, New York-Penn League.

The Mets knew they had a special slugger in their organization when Alonso hit 36 homers and drove in 116 runs combined in 2018, at Double-A Birmingham, and Triple-A Las Vegas.

At the age of 23, Alonso was playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Fall League. He opened plenty of eyes with his massive power. Including those of this writer.

Alonso hit six homers that fall. He also drove in 27 runs in 112 plate appearances.

Alonso played in the Major League All Star Futures Game that same year.

At 6-3, 245 pounds, Alonso packs a solid punch at the plate from a very powerful frame.

To date, Alonso has hit 192 major league home runs in 2,912 plate appearances. He has driven in 498 runs.

Alonso has played 684 games with the Mets.

Alonso was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2019. He was also named to the All MLB Team that same year.

Alonso has appeared in three All Star Games; in 2019, 2022, and 2023.

Mets Contractual Obligations:

With the departure of pitchers Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander, the Mets freed up some of their financial obligations, but they still owe money to those two players.

The team owes Scherzer $30,833,333 in 2024.

They also owe Verlander $26,250,000 in 2024, and $17,500,000 in 2025.

Francisco Lindor, 30, signed a 10-year, $341 million contract in 2022.

Brandon Nimmo, 30, agreed to an 8-year, $162 million contract in 2023.

Edwin Diaz, 29, will be paid through 2027, on a 5-year, 102 million contract he signed in 2023. The Mets have a 2028 club option, and Diaz can opt-out of his contract in 2025, or 2026.

Kodai Senga, 30, signed a 5-year contract in 2023 worth $75 million. If he throws 400 innings in three years, he can opt out after 2025. The Mets hold a club option on him in 2028.

Jeff McNeil, 31, holds a 4-year contract for $50 million that he signed with the Mets in 2023. The Mets hold a 2027 club option on the deal.

The Mets finished a distant 4th in the National League East last season, a full 29 games behind the division winning Atlanta Braves.

For his massive investment in player payroll, Cohen did not come anywhere close to his ultimate goal of winning the World Series.

In fact, his estimated 2023 payroll of $346 million placed the Mets well above the fourth, and highest threshold of the Major League Luxury Tax.

Conclusions:

The Mets finished 10th in MLB in home runs, with 215.

It would be very difficult for the Mets to try to recover the 46 homers Pete Alonso hit last year.

Of course, Ohtani, Soto, or perhaps another free-agent could equal, or better Alonso’s production. Or, the new hitter could partner with Alonso in the same lineup.

The team knows Pete Alonso. Pete Alonso knows the team.

A comfort level has developed over time.

Pete Alonso won the MLB Home Run Derby twice, in 2019, and again in 2020.

Pete Alonso is a legitimate slugger. They’re hard to find. And they want to be paid.

Pete Alonso’s big payday is on the horizon.

Either the Mets extend him beyond 2024, or when he reaches free-agency after next season, he will be able to capture the market after another successful year as a slugger in the middle of the Mets lineup.